Weber State
N/A0-0
Boston College
6th ACC7-5
Weber State @ Boston College preview
Alumni Stadium
Star running back Montel Harris and Boston College look to hit the ground
running in their opener against Football Championship Subdivision member
Weber State.
Harris, a Doak Walker Award nominee who rushed for 1,457 yards and 14 touchdowns last season, returns behind a huge offensive line that welcomes back four proven starters. BC's offensive line carries a 40-pound-per-man advantage over the Wildcats' defensive front, which includes 10 freshmen and three underclassmen.
Running the ball down the Wildcats' throat is not only the Eagles' game plan; it's also a necessity. The passing game is a huge question mark this season.
Sophomore quarterback Dave Shinskie, a 26-year-old former baseball player, beat out classmate Mike Marscovetra and true freshman Chase Rettig for the starting job. He started 10 games last year and set school records for a freshman with 2,049 yards and 15 touchdowns, but he also threw 14 interceptions and had to battle for the starting job.
All three QBs could see action in the opener, as a bit of a live rehearsal.
Leading wide receiver Colin Larmond went down with a knee injury. He caught 29 passes for 596 yards and five TDs last season, leaving senior Ifeanyi Momah and a trio of freshmen to try to pick up his pass-catching production.
The Eagles' defense also is young but talented, led by linebackers Nick Clancy and Luke Kuechly, free safety Okechukwu Okoroha and defensive tackle Conor O'Neal.
BC should have no trouble containing a Weber State offense that was shutout in the first round of the FCS playoffs last year by William & Mary to finish 7-5.
Wildcats senior quarterback Cameron Higgins has three years of experience and can run and throw, passing for 82 career touchdowns and rushing for six more, but he lacks seasoned weapons and is surrounded by freshman backs and blockers. Look for BC's defense to take advantage of Weber State's youth and inexperience.
After falling to USC in the Emerald Bowl to close an 8-5 campaign under first-year coach Frank Spaziani, the Eagles are ready to step onto the field with another foe.
Boston College linebacker Mark Herzlich, who 15 months ago was diagnosed with cancer and missed all of last season, has been practicing and could make an emotional return to the field for the Eagles.
The weather could be a huge factor as Hurricane Earl is forecast to blow through the Northeast coast this weekend. The game could be rescheduled if a direct hit occurs or may be played in heavy rain and tropical storm force wind if the storm skirts the area. BC hopes to play sometime this weekend since the Wildcats were scheduled to fly into Boston on Thursday.
Harris, a Doak Walker Award nominee who rushed for 1,457 yards and 14 touchdowns last season, returns behind a huge offensive line that welcomes back four proven starters. BC's offensive line carries a 40-pound-per-man advantage over the Wildcats' defensive front, which includes 10 freshmen and three underclassmen.
Running the ball down the Wildcats' throat is not only the Eagles' game plan; it's also a necessity. The passing game is a huge question mark this season.
Sophomore quarterback Dave Shinskie, a 26-year-old former baseball player, beat out classmate Mike Marscovetra and true freshman Chase Rettig for the starting job. He started 10 games last year and set school records for a freshman with 2,049 yards and 15 touchdowns, but he also threw 14 interceptions and had to battle for the starting job.
All three QBs could see action in the opener, as a bit of a live rehearsal.
Leading wide receiver Colin Larmond went down with a knee injury. He caught 29 passes for 596 yards and five TDs last season, leaving senior Ifeanyi Momah and a trio of freshmen to try to pick up his pass-catching production.
The Eagles' defense also is young but talented, led by linebackers Nick Clancy and Luke Kuechly, free safety Okechukwu Okoroha and defensive tackle Conor O'Neal.
BC should have no trouble containing a Weber State offense that was shutout in the first round of the FCS playoffs last year by William & Mary to finish 7-5.
Wildcats senior quarterback Cameron Higgins has three years of experience and can run and throw, passing for 82 career touchdowns and rushing for six more, but he lacks seasoned weapons and is surrounded by freshman backs and blockers. Look for BC's defense to take advantage of Weber State's youth and inexperience.
After falling to USC in the Emerald Bowl to close an 8-5 campaign under first-year coach Frank Spaziani, the Eagles are ready to step onto the field with another foe.
Boston College linebacker Mark Herzlich, who 15 months ago was diagnosed with cancer and missed all of last season, has been practicing and could make an emotional return to the field for the Eagles.
The weather could be a huge factor as Hurricane Earl is forecast to blow through the Northeast coast this weekend. The game could be rescheduled if a direct hit occurs or may be played in heavy rain and tropical storm force wind if the storm skirts the area. BC hopes to play sometime this weekend since the Wildcats were scheduled to fly into Boston on Thursday.